When Should You Replace Your House’s Siding?

Your home’s siding won’t last forever. Maintenance projects are a necessity as a homeowner, whether it’s fixing a leaky faucet or replacing your HVAC system. Depending on the climate in your area, the siding on a house has a variety of life spans ranging from 15-40 years.

But whether you know by the age of your house or the condition of your siding, there are certain indicators of when it is a good idea to consider replacing your exterior siding.

How Long Different Materials Last

Wood

Wood siding is extremely common because of its adaptability. It has a stylish design and is inexpensive. Similarly to vinyl, wood siding can last 20-40 years when properly maintained. Wood’s amazing durability means it’s good for more than simple aesthetics. In order to prolong the life of your wood siding, you should do routine inspections to look for signs of mold, bugs, and rot. If you find any signs of these, you should take prompt action to get rid of them. If you want your wood siding to last for a long time, you should also refinish it every five years or so.

Aluminum

If you use aluminum, you won’t have to worry about replacing it for decades. However, the baked-on enamel can fade after roughly 15 years. Aluminum siding requires periodic repainting to extend life. Bear in mind too, that metal is readily marred by dings, scratches, and pits. The siding may need to be replaced sooner if there is damage that isn’t addressed in a timely manner.

Vinyl

Vinyl siding is widely used because it can mimic the appearance of wood without the maintenance requirements. A high-quality vinyl siding should retain its color for decades without touch-ups. Vinyl siding also has the benefit of not requiring as much upkeep as other types of siding. Vinyl is resistant to rotting and scratches, unlike wood which is susceptible to oxidation and corrosion and can last 20-40 years. In spite of these advantages, vinyl does get dirty over time, but it is very simple to clean. Vinyl should endure a long time if it is cared for properly and there aren’t any severe weather conditions.

Fiber Cement Siding

Fiber Cement Siding by James Hardie, sometimes referred to as Hardie Plank or Hardie Board is a long lasting siding replacement option that has a 30 year warranty. James Hardie siding has been installed on over 8 Million homes and provides you with the beauty of wood and the durability of fiber cement. It significantly protects your home from hail, highwinds, insects, rodents, woodpeckers and is a fire rated product that will not sustain a flame.

Signs It’s Time To Replace Your Siding

Although every home’s siding repair needs and timeline is unique, there are a few universal indicators that it’s time for a change.

Damage

Damaged siding may endanger the building’s safety and stability as the damage can spread toward the foundation. Signs of discoloration and the presence of holes are indicators of weather damage or possible infestation. These point to needing to replace the siding before any further damage can be done.

Mold Growth and Water Damage

Siding damage can let rain and other moisture into your home. If you see mold on an indoor wall or ceiling, go outside and inspect the siding in that section of your home. Immediately replacing damaged siding is necessary if you find water damage, as mold grows rapidly.

Rot

Dry rot in the home’s underlying wood structure can be caused by improper siding installation. This issue arises when water gets behind the siding, fostering the growth of fungus that eventually eats the wood. Dry rot is difficult to spot from the outside because it develops behind the siding. Typically, a professional inspection is required to identify the rotten timber.

High Energy Bills

You may not notice glaring signs of your siding causing energy inefficiency in your home. However, if you feel drafts around outlets and windows or if you notice changes in your energy bills, failing siding could be the cause. This is an investment that often pays off in lowering energy costs.

Increase the Beauty and Worth of Your Property

When it’s time to replace the siding on your home, you want to know that you are making the right choice when it comes to the look, material, and the team you choose to handle your project. Your siding is the first thing you see when you look at your home, so it needs to look great. But it also protects your house and your family from the elements, so it needs to be done right the first time.

Is your siding in need of replacement? Let Siding Pro provide the exceptional service you need. Contact us today for more information on how we can maintain and replace your siding investment.